Sparkling Hill Resort & spa - Canada
Sparkling Hill Resort and Spa is a European-inspired wellness hotel situated among the stellar mountains and lakes of Vernon in British Columbia. A new property, attracting American and fellow Canadians, there are over 100 spa and wellness treatments to choose from, as well as easily accessible hiking trails and yoga and meditation classes.
I was fortunate to pack in 2 days of treatments including their famous cold sauna - the only one in all of North America. Clinical studies have shown this modality successfully treats arthritis and other bone/joint inflammation and is also used in the treatment of fatigue and depression. In a bathing suit, I felt rather brave entering the sauna at -166F for 3 minutes. The concept of "total cold body therapy" originated in Japan in the late 1970s and in May 2008, the Olympic rehabilitation center in Poland opened with a cold sauna which has been used as a training and injury rehabilitation center for professional athletes. How did it feel? The last 30 seconds was admittedly uncomfortable but rather exhilarating. The local gentleman who joined me had done this 15 times - a testament that it was working for him, in whatever ailed him. There is no warming up in the sauna or drinking hot tea after that - so I found myself drifting asleep as I lay in the tranquility room overlooking the blue-grey mountains.
Among the other four treatments - 1) mud and massage 2) honey detox 3) crystal cranium and 4) Pantai Luar - I would have to say the last was my favorite. In a big, Asian inspired room all to myself with its own steam room, my body was prepped for this traditional Indonesia treatment using fragrant herb infused bundles warmed and warm oil for absolutely the most relaxing and pampering massage. Therapist training is paramount at Sparkling Hill with specialists flown in from other countries to provide proper technique and guidance. Tied for 2nd place would be a the head massage dripping in oil and made my curly locks look healthy and shiny and the honey detox which some say is not relaxing as the tacky creamed honey pulls skin to release toxins. I thought it felt great. The 40,000 square foot spa features 7 steam, sauna rooms with cold room, outdoor infinity pool, warm indoor pool and jacuzzi and Kur therapy pool. The steam and sauna room was very popular the couple days I was there. What I found particularly lovely was the deep bath tub in my room with stellar views and overhead twinkle lights that mimicked stars. Quite and relaxing.
The full European breakfast was quite a treat and what I also enjoyed was the menu changed each day reflective of what was fresh and available locally. Sparkling Hill offers both a week long weight loss program as well as a program for 55+ to stay young and healthy.
www.sparklinghill.com
I was fortunate to pack in 2 days of treatments including their famous cold sauna - the only one in all of North America. Clinical studies have shown this modality successfully treats arthritis and other bone/joint inflammation and is also used in the treatment of fatigue and depression. In a bathing suit, I felt rather brave entering the sauna at -166F for 3 minutes. The concept of "total cold body therapy" originated in Japan in the late 1970s and in May 2008, the Olympic rehabilitation center in Poland opened with a cold sauna which has been used as a training and injury rehabilitation center for professional athletes. How did it feel? The last 30 seconds was admittedly uncomfortable but rather exhilarating. The local gentleman who joined me had done this 15 times - a testament that it was working for him, in whatever ailed him. There is no warming up in the sauna or drinking hot tea after that - so I found myself drifting asleep as I lay in the tranquility room overlooking the blue-grey mountains.
Among the other four treatments - 1) mud and massage 2) honey detox 3) crystal cranium and 4) Pantai Luar - I would have to say the last was my favorite. In a big, Asian inspired room all to myself with its own steam room, my body was prepped for this traditional Indonesia treatment using fragrant herb infused bundles warmed and warm oil for absolutely the most relaxing and pampering massage. Therapist training is paramount at Sparkling Hill with specialists flown in from other countries to provide proper technique and guidance. Tied for 2nd place would be a the head massage dripping in oil and made my curly locks look healthy and shiny and the honey detox which some say is not relaxing as the tacky creamed honey pulls skin to release toxins. I thought it felt great. The 40,000 square foot spa features 7 steam, sauna rooms with cold room, outdoor infinity pool, warm indoor pool and jacuzzi and Kur therapy pool. The steam and sauna room was very popular the couple days I was there. What I found particularly lovely was the deep bath tub in my room with stellar views and overhead twinkle lights that mimicked stars. Quite and relaxing.
The full European breakfast was quite a treat and what I also enjoyed was the menu changed each day reflective of what was fresh and available locally. Sparkling Hill offers both a week long weight loss program as well as a program for 55+ to stay young and healthy.
www.sparklinghill.com